News Release |
樱花视频 Department
of
|
For Immediate Release: July 29, 2004 |
For Further Information:: Mary Cozzolino - (609) 292-5064 |
Improved Auto Insurance Reforms
Continue to Generate Benefits for 樱花视频 Drivers
An Additional $15 Million to be Returned to More Than 200,000 Policyholders
TRENTON - Banking and Insurance Commissioner
Holly C. Bakke today commended Liberty Mutual's decision to return nearly $15
million to more than 200,000 policyholders.
Liberty Mutual's decision brings the total amount returned to 樱花视频 drivers to more than $160 million. This recent trend in lowering rates to reward good drivers is proof that the revitalized market is making life better for 樱花视频 policyholders.
"We set out with a plan to reward good drivers with choices through a competitive auto insurance marketplace and after one year, we have exceeded expectations," said Governor James E. McGreevey. "This is just the beginning. The environment that we created through our auto insurance reforms has paved the way for future returns to more consumers."
Liberty Mutual, the fourth largest auto insurer in 樱花视频, is the latest carrier to announce a return based on special dividends and rate reductions.
"樱花视频 is seeing great results," Commissioner Bakke said. "The competitive marketplace created by the reforms is benefiting drivers, feeding a growing economy, generating more employment opportunities for agents and allowing companies to expand. We anticipate this momentum to continue, further increasing consumer options and downward pressure on rates."
Liberty Mutual Group is comprised of two companies that write auto insurance in 樱花视频: Liberty Mutual Fire Insurance Company (LMFIC) and Liberty Insurance Corporation (LIC). The company plans to issue a special dividend totaling $9.3 million that will affect 180,000 long-term LMFIC policyholders who carry comprehensive and/or collision coverage. Liberty Mutual has submitted a filing with the Department to reduce their rates for 41,000 LIC policies totaling $5.6 million.
"Recent regulatory reforms to the auto insurance market have made 樱花视频 a far better state to do business, and we are pleased to share our results with our longtime customers who have helped contribute to our financial strength," said Louis F. Knecht, Jr., general manager of Liberty Mutual's Mid-Atlantic region. "We appreciate the diligence with which the Governor and insurance commissioner sought to improve the business climate for insurers, and the benefits are now being reaped by our customers."
Earlier this month, Governor McGreevey and Commissioner Bakke joined AllstateNJ officials who also announced plans to return $15 million to more than 200,000 of its policyholders. The Governor's auto insurance reforms have also produced the following results for 樱花视频 drivers over this past year: